NEW civic awards to thank people who help the community are top of the agenda for the new Mayor of Bury.

That, and making sure Bury survives and thrives as a borough, are among the main aims of Coun Roy Walker who was sworn in on Wednesday (May 14).

Colleagues, friends and family packed into Bury Town Hall to see him accept the chains of office from his Labour counterpart Trevor Holt.

Coun Walker has represented Church ward for 15 years, and was leader of the Tory group on the council for five years until 1996.

Born in Sheffield in 1943, he came to Bury in 1981 and has worked for years at Bolton Institute of Higher Education, where he is a tutor for Further Education Teaching Training Courses.

Previously a councillor for Stockport, he was elected in Bury in 1982 and has served on the education, policy and resources, social services and environmental health committees.

His wife of 26 years, Kathryn, will become the mayoress. The couple have two sons, Alexis and Benedict.

The mayor's chaplain will be the Rector of Bury, Canon J. R. Smith.

Coun Walker described it as "a singular honour, a defining moment of our lives".

He added: "There are many important aspects of community life to get immersed in during the coming year and already I can see the busy, challenging year ahead of us."

He moved onto a personal wish for the coming year.

"I suggest that we recognise formally the efforts of individuals in such groups through a system of Awards for Voluntary Achievement."

He hoped that councillors would approve this plan in time for next year.

"I do not feel we will be stuck for nominations in this borough which is full of people undertaking a range of good works.

"Indeed, this is a vibrant and viable borough and that is my principal message."

He outlined some of the council's many projects for the coming year in all areas from housing to leisure, business to social services.

As his Mayoral charities, Coun Walker has nominated the Child Development Centre at Fairfield Hospital, the Bury Gateway Club, and the Bury FC Disabled Supporters Club.

The new mayor concluded: "I will do all I can to promote the borough and to represent it with dignity outside its boundaries.

"The mayoress and I intend to serve the people of Bury to the best of our ability."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.